ROLL-OFF TRUCK BUYING
Sell Your Roll-Off Truck
Have a roll-off truck you are ready to replace, retire, or remove from your fleet? EasyTruckBuyer considers used cable roll-off trucks and hydraulic hooklift trucks, including older, high-mileage, damaged, and non-running vehicles.
We work with individual owners, owner-operators, businesses, and fleets across all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Whether your truck has a single axle, tandem axles, or a heavier multi-axle configuration, you can submit its details for an individual evaluation.
EasyTruckBuyer has been buying trucks since 2007. Tell us about your chassis, container-handling equipment, current condition, and location. We review that information before deciding whether an offer is possible. Free towing is included with accepted truck purchases.
Submitting a truck does not guarantee an offer or purchase.
Tell Us About Your Truck
Start with the information you know about your roll-off truck. Additional equipment details may be requested during evaluation.
QUICK ANSWER
Can I Sell My Roll-Off Truck to EasyTruckBuyer?
Yes. You can submit a roll-off truck for consideration even if it has substantial mileage, damaged lifting equipment, mechanical problems, or a non-running engine.
Roll-off trucks require a more specific description than many conventional work trucks because the chassis and the installed container-handling system may be in very different conditions.
For example, a truck may drive normally but have a failed cable winch. Another may have a functioning hooklift but an engine or transmission that requires repair.
Both situations can be described and submitted for evaluation.
Start with the truck’s year, make, model, mileage if known, location, and operating condition. If possible, identify whether it uses a cable hoist or a hooklift, and explain any known problems with the lifting equipment.
You do not need every technical specification to begin. Provide what you know, and we may request additional information or an inspection when appropriate.
Cable Roll-Off Trucks and Hooklift Trucks: What Is the Difference?
Roll-off trucks use equipment mounted on a commercial chassis to load and unload detachable containers or interchangeable bodies.
The equipment design influences what the truck can handle, how it operates, which components may need repairs, and what information is useful when evaluating it.
Cable Roll-Off Trucks
A cable roll-off truck uses a winch and cable to draw a compatible container onto its hoist rails. Hydraulic equipment raises and lowers the tilting hoist structure. Depending on the design, the system may have an extendable tail or other features intended for particular container arrangements.
Cable roll-off trucks are commonly used for construction debris, demolition materials, waste, recycling, and scrap collection.
Important components include:
- Winch, cable, and sheaves.
- Hoist rails, rear rollers, and hinges.
- Hydraulic cylinders, hoses, and controls.
- Container stops, hold-downs, and locking equipment.
- PTO and hydraulic pump, or another installed hydraulic power arrangement.
Some smaller cable hoists use electric-over-hydraulic power, while other configurations use engine-driven hydraulic systems. Do not assume every cable hoist has the same power source.
When describing a cable truck, mention visible cable damage, worn rollers, hydraulic leaks, nonfunctional controls, or problems with the winch.
Rail arrangements also matter. An inside-rail, outside-rail, or combination design may be compatible with different container understructures. A cable truck should not be assumed to accept every roll-off container simply because the container is a similar length.
Hydraulic Hooklift Trucks
A hooklift uses a hydraulic lifting arm to engage a compatible lifting bar on a detachable container or interchangeable body.
Hooklift equipment can be fitted to different chassis sizes and can accommodate different body configurations. Some systems use sliding jibs or adjustable hook heights; others have different designs and operating ranges.
Useful details include the hooklift’s manufacturer, model, hook height, rated capacity if known, and the lengths of bodies it is designed to handle.
Its condition may be affected by:
- Worn hooks, pins, or pivot assemblies.
- Damaged or leaking hydraulic cylinders.
- Jib or lifting-arm problems.
- Worn rollers or sliding components.
- Damaged rear latches or body restraints.
- Faulty controls, PTO, or hydraulic pump.
A hooklift that can raise its arm but has damaged body locks should not automatically be described as fully functional.
Container compatibility depends on more than lifting capacity. Hook height, body dimensions, rail or subframe arrangements, and locking geometry can all matter.
If you know which containers or bodies were actually used with the truck, that information can help identify its configuration. It does not prove compatibility with every other container of similar size.
Single-Axle, Tandem-Axle, and Multi-Axle Configurations
Roll-off equipment may be installed on different truck chassis.
Smaller single-axle configurations are often used for lighter container-handling applications. Tandem-axle and other multi-axle arrangements can be used where larger or heavier configurations are required.
Additional lift axles may be present on some trucks.
The truck’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), individual axle ratings, wheelbase, installed equipment, and applicable weight limits are important when describing its capabilities.
A hoist’s rated lifting capacity is not the same as the truck’s legal road payload.
A container’s cubic-yard measurement describes its volume, not its allowable loaded weight. Avoid treating a 30-yard container, for example, as proof of a specific load capacity.
When available, use the vehicle certification information and the hoist manufacturer’s identification plate rather than estimates.
What Affects a Roll-Off Truck’s Potential Value?
A roll-off truck’s potential value involves the condition and configuration of both the truck chassis and its installed equipment.
There is no single mileage threshold, hoist brand, or container size that establishes what a truck is worth.
Chassis, Engine, and Drivetrain Condition
The truck’s year, make, model, mileage, engine hours, drivetrain, and general mechanical condition provide useful context.
Relevant concerns may include hard starting, engine faults, transmission problems, cooling-system leaks, emissions-system warning lights, brake or suspension defects, and frame corrosion.
Engine hours are particularly useful when a truck has spent considerable time idling or powering auxiliary equipment. They should be considered alongside mileage and maintenance history, not used as a substitute for either.
A chassis that is mechanically functional can present a different situation from one requiring substantial drivetrain repairs.
Hoist Specifications and Operating Condition
The installed cable hoist or hooklift can materially affect the truck’s usefulness.
Its manufacturer, model, rated capacity, mechanical arrangement, and compatibility with existing containers may all be relevant.
Condition is equally important.
For a cable truck, worn sheaves, damaged cable, failing winch equipment, or bent hoist rails may require attention. On a hooklift, damaged pivots, hook components, jib assemblies, or locking systems may be significant.
Hydraulic leaks, pump defects, cylinder problems, and nonfunctional controls can affect either design.
Describe what is known about the system’s last normal operation. If equipment has not been operated recently, say so rather than assuming it still works.
Frame, Mounting, and Additional Equipment
The condition of the frame and the attachment points between the chassis and hoist deserves attention.
Visible cracks, substantial corrosion, deformation, or questionable repairs can be relevant to the evaluation.
Installed equipment may include a powered tarp system, auxiliary hydraulic equipment, lift axles, cameras, additional lighting, or other accessories.
Identify these features when present and disclose whether they are functioning.
The presence of an accessory does not automatically establish additional value.
Maintenance and Repair Records
Service documentation may help explain a truck’s mechanical history.
Useful records can include engine and transmission work, hoist servicing, hydraulic repairs, cable or winch replacement, cylinder repairs, and major structural or chassis work.
Records are helpful when available, but their absence does not automatically prevent an inquiry.
Accurate information is more useful than unsupported estimates about repair costs or selling prices.
Can I Sell a Damaged or Non-Running Roll-Off Truck?
You can submit a damaged, high-mileage, incomplete, or non-running roll-off truck for evaluation. Whether EasyTruckBuyer can make an offer depends on the individual vehicle.
Different problems create different mechanical and transportation considerations.
Truck Runs but the Hoist Does Not Work
A truck may start and drive but no longer load or unload containers.
A cable winch may not operate, the hydraulic pump may have failed, or a hooklift may have a damaged cylinder or locking mechanism.
Explain what stopped working, approximately when the problem occurred, and whether a mechanic diagnosed it.
A functioning chassis does not establish that the roll-off equipment is operational.
Hoist Appears Serviceable but the Truck Does Not Run
Another truck may have an apparently intact hoist but a failed engine, transmission, or electrical system.
Describe whether it starts or moves under its own power and what is known about the engine or drivetrain failure.
If the hoist has not been tested safely since the truck stopped running, do not describe it as verified operational.
Older, Accident-Damaged, or Incomplete Trucks
Trucks with collision damage, significant corrosion, missing components, or years of service can also be submitted.
Identify any known frame damage, missing hoist parts, hydraulic problems, damaged wheels, or other defects.
If the truck has been parked for an extended period, include that information.
These details can affect both evaluation and transportation planning.
Do not operate a damaged hoist, lift an unstable container, or attempt repairs simply to demonstrate that a truck is suitable for sale.
What Information Should You Prepare Before Selling?
You can begin with a basic description. A more detailed record may help clarify the truck’s specifications and condition if further evaluation is needed.
Truck and Hoist Identification
The following details are useful when available:
- Chassis year, make, model, and VIN.
- Odometer mileage and engine hours.
- Engine and transmission type.
- Axle configuration and GVWR.
- Current location and last known driving condition.
- Cable hoist or hydraulic hooklift configuration.
- Hoist manufacturer, model, and serial number.
- Known equipment capacity or compatible container dimensions, if documented.
- Visible damage, missing components, and current mechanical problems.
- Major service or repair records.
The chassis VIN identifies the motor vehicle. The hoist may have a separate manufacturer plate or equipment serial number.
Do not assume the VIN identifies every aftermarket component installed on the truck.
If the hoist plate is missing, damaged, or unreadable, report that information rather than guessing the model or capacity.
Photographs That Help Describe the Truck
Recent photographs can be useful, particularly when a roll-off truck has specialized equipment or visible damage.
If they can be taken safely, helpful photographs include the truck’s front, rear, and sides; dashboard and odometer; visible chassis and hoist structures; equipment identification plates; and damaged components.
Show the cable winch or hooklift assembly from a safe position with the equipment in its normal resting configuration.
Do not crawl beneath the hoist, climb between the container and truck, disconnect hydraulic equipment, or raise the bed to obtain photographs.
If the hoist is raised, unstable, or damaged, tell us. Any required positioning or inspection should be handled by qualified personnel using appropriate procedures.
Professional photographs are not required for the initial inquiry.
Title, Lien, and Business Ownership Information
The legal owner of the truck and any existing financial interest must be considered before a sale can be completed.
Have the vehicle title or other legally accepted ownership evidence available when possible.
If there is an outstanding lien, missing title, ownership discrepancy, or financing arrangement, disclose it early.
A business-owned truck may require documentation showing that the person completing the sale is authorized to act for the business.
Specific transfer and seller-notification requirements vary by state and transaction.
These are matters to address during the selling process, not a universal list of documents required just to make an inquiry.
Clarify Whether Containers Are Included
A detachable container is not the same thing as the truck’s permanently installed hoist.
Before proceeding, identify whether you are proposing to sell the complete truck and hoist alone, or whether a detachable container is also being discussed.
Explain whether a container is currently loaded on the truck, whether it is empty, and who owns it.
Additional containers stored elsewhere, the materials inside containers, and unrelated equipment should not be assumed to be part of a truck transaction.
A separate agreement may be necessary for any additional assets. EasyTruckBuyer’s evaluation of a truck does not automatically establish that detachable containers or their contents will be purchased or transported.
How Does Selling a Roll-Off Truck to EasyTruckBuyer Work?
The process begins with the truck’s identifying information and proceeds only if an offer is possible and you choose to accept the proposed terms.
1. Submit the Truck Details
Tell us about the chassis, roll-off equipment, condition, and current location.
You can begin through the form on this page or visit our truck offer request page.
2. Vehicle Evaluation
EasyTruckBuyer reviews the information supplied, including the truck’s operating condition and specialized equipment.
A cable truck with a faulty winch and a hooklift truck with chassis damage may require different information.
3. Additional Verification if Needed
We may request further specifications, photographs, condition details, or an inspection.
An inspection is not promised or required for every inquiry.
4. Review a Possible Offer
If an offer can be made, review the proposed terms and any conditions that remain to be satisfied.
You can decide whether to proceed. Not every submission results in an offer.
5. Confirm Documents and Payment Arrangements
For a proposed purchase you wish to accept, ownership documentation, lien issues, purchase terms, and payment arrangements must be addressed.
Payment timing and method depend on the agreed transaction.
6. Coordinate Collection After an Accepted Purchase
Free towing is included with accepted truck purchases.
The truck’s dimensions, condition, location, and accessibility are considered when arranging transportation.
For more information, visit How Selling Your Truck Works.
Free Towing and Roll-Off Truck Collection
Moving a roll-off truck can require specialized planning because of its size, weight, hoist configuration, and mechanical condition.
Free towing is available with accepted purchases, not with every initial inquiry.
Running Condition and Recovery Needs
Let us know whether the truck is believed to be roadworthy, whether it starts and moves, and whether there are known steering, braking, tire, or axle problems.
A truck that does not start may have different recovery needs from one with locked brakes, missing wheels, damaged suspension, or a compromised frame.
This information should come from its known condition. Do not perform unsafe driving or recovery tests.
Hoist Position and Detachable Containers
Report whether the hoist is lowered, whether a container is attached, and whether equipment damage prevents normal positioning.
A raised or unstable hoist can require additional precautions. Never attempt to force damaged equipment into its transport position.
If a detachable container is to be moved, its ownership, contents, condition, and applicable securement rules need separate consideration.
Federal cargo-securement requirements include provisions for roll-on/roll-off and hooklift containers. The FMCSA also distinguishes certain other hoist-type equipment from the systems covered by those specific provisions. The requirements that apply depend on the actual equipment and load.
See the FMCSA cargo-securement guidance for further information.
Access to the Truck
Describe the truck’s parking location and any restrictions that could affect access.
A vehicle parked in an open commercial yard presents different collection considerations from one in a restricted construction area, on unstable ground, or behind a narrow gate.
Overhead clearance, nearby obstacles, property access authorization, and available working space may be relevant.
Providing these details helps determine whether practical transportation arrangements can be made if a purchase proceeds.
Nationwide buying coverage includes Alaska and Hawaii, but no particular pickup date or collection solution is guaranteed for every vehicle or property.
Other Options for Selling a Used Roll-Off Truck
You may want to compare different selling methods before choosing how to proceed.
Private Sale or Specialist Marketplace
A private listing allows you to present the truck directly to potential operators or equipment buyers.
A detailed description of the chassis, hoist model, container compatibility, and condition may help interested buyers determine whether the truck suits their needs.
You may have more control over your asking price, but you also handle advertising, inquiries, inspections, negotiations, and sale arrangements.
An asking price is not a guaranteed selling price.
Commercial Truck Dealer or Trade-In
A commercial truck dealer may consider your roll-off truck, particularly if you are purchasing replacement equipment.
Dealer interest depends on the truck, its condition, and the dealer’s business. Not every dealer handles cable hoists or specialized hooklift systems.
Compare any trade-in terms with the overall cost of the replacement transaction.
Equipment Auction
An equipment auction can be an option for surplus trucks, including fleet disposals.
Consider seller fees, the auction’s inspection and payment terms, transport responsibilities, and whether the audience is likely to understand the truck’s specialized equipment.
The final sale price may be uncertain until the auction is completed.
Direct Evaluation With EasyTruckBuyer
You can also submit the truck directly to EasyTruckBuyer.
We review its information and determine whether an offer is possible. If you receive an offer, you can compare the proposed terms with your other options.
Free towing is included with accepted purchases, while documentation and transportation details are coordinated for the particular sale.
No option is automatically best for every roll-off truck owner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Roll-Off Trucks
Can I sell a cable roll-off truck with a broken winch?
You can submit it for evaluation. Describe the winch problem, the condition of the cable and hydraulics if known, and whether the chassis is operating normally. A damaged winch may affect the truck’s condition assessment, but it does not prevent you from making an inquiry.
Does EasyTruckBuyer consider hydraulic hooklift trucks?
Yes. Hooklift trucks are among the configurations you can submit. Include the hooklift make and model, known capacity, hook height, and condition of the arm, cylinders, and locking equipment where available. Every vehicle remains subject to individual evaluation.
Can a hooklift carry any roll-off container?
No. Hooklift compatibility depends on the specific system and body. Hook height, lifting-bar dimensions, body length, rails or subframe, and locking geometry can differ. Confirm compatibility through reliable equipment information rather than assuming containers are interchangeable.
What if my cable hoist works but the truck’s engine is damaged?
You can submit the vehicle. Describe the engine problem separately from the last known condition of the hoist. If the lifting equipment cannot currently be tested safely, do not describe it as verified operational. The chassis and installed equipment are considered together.
What if I cannot identify the hoist model or capacity?
You can still start an inquiry. State whether the truck has a cable system or hooklift and provide the information you know. Existing service records or a safely accessible equipment plate may help identify it later. Never assign a capacity based on appearance alone.
Do engine hours matter on a roll-off truck?
They can. A roll-off truck may spend time idling or operating hydraulic equipment while stationary. Engine hours can help describe its usage alongside mileage, maintenance records, and mechanical condition. They do not determine value by themselves.
Does the advertised size of a dumpster tell you how much the truck can carry?
No. Dumpster sizes are often expressed in cubic yards, which measure volume. The permitted weight depends on the truck, hoist, equipment configuration, load, and applicable limits. A container’s volume alone cannot establish the truck’s legal payload.
Do I have to include detachable containers when selling the truck?
You can submit the complete truck with its installed hoist without treating a separate detachable container as automatically included. If a container is present or additional containers are proposed, disclose their ownership and condition. Any inclusion in a purchase would require agreement.
Can a non-running roll-off truck be collected?
Transportation can be discussed if the truck is accepted for purchase. Explain its last known rolling, steering, and braking condition, hoist position, attached containers, and site access. Free towing applies to accepted purchases, but collection from every location is not guaranteed.
Can I submit multiple roll-off trucks with different hoists or conditions?
Yes. EasyTruckBuyer considers fleet inquiries. Provide separate chassis, hoist, condition, and location information for each unit. Trucks in a multi-vehicle inquiry are evaluated individually, and an offer for one does not guarantee an offer for every truck.
Ready to Have Your Roll-Off Truck Evaluated?
Whether you have a working cable roll-off truck, a hydraulic hooklift with mechanical problems, or a vehicle that has been out of service, start by describing what you want to sell.
Include the chassis details, location, operating condition, and whatever you know about its hoist. Accurate information about hydraulic defects, missing equipment, ownership, and attached containers can help clarify the evaluation.
EasyTruckBuyer has been buying trucks since 2007 and considers inquiries across all 50 states.
We will review the information and determine whether an offer is possible. Free towing is included if a truck purchase is accepted.
For questions before submitting, contact EasyTruckBuyer.